Overview

• ESPN announced Tim Legler will join Mike Breen, Richard Jefferson and reporter Lisa Salters on its lead NBA crew that will call the 2026 NBA Finals on ABC.
• Doris Burke signed a multi-year extension and will shift to ESPN’s No. 2 team with play-by-play voice Dave Pasch for regular-season and playoff assignments.
• Richard Jefferson also agreed to a new multi-year contract to remain on the top broadcast team, while Salters’ deal had previously been extended.
• Reporting attributes the change to internal evaluations of three-person booth chemistry, with executive Mike McQuade identified as a key decision-maker who favors Legler.
• The move continues turnover since 2023, when Jeff Van Gundy and Mark Jackson were let go, and follows public support for Burke from Pacers coach Rick Carlisle and Jefferson that did not change ESPN’s decision.